3rd November 2011 - Ide Primary School

Ide Primary School - Newsletter 9
Knowing Children As Individuals
Telephone 01392 259964 Website - www.ide.devon.sch.uk
Dear Parents/ Carers,
Thursday 3 rd November 2011
Welcome back, I hope that despite the rather wet and windy weather you had a great half term with the
children. We have had an interesting start to term with our cultures week and many thanks to staff who have
worked around building arrangements to ensure that learning continues as normal. As always the run up to
Christmas (seems too early to mention that word) is always a very busy but exciting time for the children. Within
the next week you will receive a special Christmas newsletter that will outline all of the dates and arrangements
for the festive season. We would appreciate a quick return on
the slips that will be attached,
particularly in respect of Christmas lunches etc.
Cultures Week – Myself and Others
The children in Classes 1,2 and 3 have had a very busy week
and really enjoyed learning about Hinduism from the visiting
speakers yesterday. They enjoyed trying on the clothing,
cooking, making cards and sharing in worship. The teachers
were impressed by the excellent questions children asked.
There has been some great art work going on around the
school also. Take a look at the events section of the
website to find out more.
Culture week – London Residential
Class 4 have returned safely from their visit to London,
meeting with their MP, seeing the West End show The Lion King and
visiting a mosque. Your children were all exceptionally well behaved and clearly
thoroughly enjoyed the visit. Can I thank Mr Martin for organising the trip and to Mrs
Johnson and Mrs Wetherell for giving up time away
from their own families to accompany the children.
As you can appreciate, whilst away they are on call
24 hours a day! There are more photos on the
website.
Assembly theme – This half term the theme of our
assembly is ‘ A recipe for Friendship’ this links to the
SEAL theme – Getting on and Falling 0ut, if you wish
to borrow a family SEAL pack some will shortly be in
the entrance hall, please just sign them out and
return when you have finished.
School Improvement Focus – Learning to Learn
One of the focuses for school improvement this year is
developing children’s awareness of how they learn.
Good learners need to not only learn facts and skills
but more importantly develop appropriate learning
behaviours. Last half term we had a focus on taking a
risk, not worrying about getting it wrong as we learn
from our mistakes. The
focus this half term is on questions, asking them to help us learn and to challenge ourselves , show curiosity by
asking questions. To get minds thinking each week we shall have a question of the week that I will share with
parents in the newsletter and with children in assembly. Talk with your child about their ideas and we will find a
way of sharing possible answers, thoughts and ideas to them – if you have a suggestion how, please let me
know.

Question of the week!
Areheroeseverfrightened?
MUGA Development
As you can see the construction of the Multi Use Games Area has started. Despite the heavy rain we have
suffered, construction is still on course to complete in about two weeks time. The children have enjoyed
watching the diggers go by. Thank you to parents for keeping clear of the High Street with parking and children
walking to school. There are photos on the website where you can watch the progress and development.
Friends of Ide School – FIS
Nicki Mugford has now taken on the role of chair of our parents group and will welcome the support of everyone.
Can I say a BIG thank you to Rachel Herbert who has lead FIS so fantastically during her time as chair and of
course to Cheryl Haddy in the role of treasurer and all of the other parents who regularly attend the meetings
and help out at events. FIS have worked really hard, particularly over the last twelve months to raise astonishing
amounts of money which has supported not only the Muga, but the library, class trips, swimming and purchased
equipment for the field and playground.
Industrial Action
As you may be aware from media coverage, a number of teaching and support staff unions are balloting
members over industrial action for November 30 th . I shall write to parents in due course if this action affects our
school.
School Closure Procedures in the Event of Poor Weather or other events.
As we begin to approach more wintry weather I will remind parents of arrangements should the school need to
suddenly close for snow or other reasons. We always attempt to remain open as long as we can staff the school
at sufficient levels and the site is safe for pupils. We always aim to make an assessment by 8am in the morning.
In the event of the need to close we will;
• Use the text alert service to contact parents
• Announcements are made regularly by BBC Devon and Heart FM
• Devon County Council schools website also publishes lists of school closure.
• Where possible designated governors who are snow marshals will attend the site and any local staff will
man the phone if possible.
• Work is already in place on the schools website for children to undertake.
Yours sincerely
Sean Millar
Headteacher
Key Dates
Tuesday 15 th November
School Improvement Partner Visits
Tuesday 15 th November
Class 3 Assembly – 3pm
Thursday 17 th November
Individual photographs
Thursday 24 th November
Class 4 Assembly
Monday 21 st November
Resources Committee
Monday 28 th November
Curriculum and Standards Committee
Monday 12 th December
Monday 12 th December
Full Governors Meeting
Choir to sing at Jubilee Club
Monday 12 th December
Singing – whole school at Tescos 5:30 pm – 7pm
Friday 16 th December
Last day of Autumn Term
Tuesday 3 rd January
First day back to school
15 th January Applications for Primary places closes
W/C 14 th May
Key Stage 2 SAT tests.